| WEF says ‘Green Shift’ can save $2tr | Send to a friend |
| Sunday, 22 January 2012 10:40 |
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The report, More with Less: Scaling Sustainable Consumption and Resource Efficiency, outlines the opportunity and imperative for industry-led action for smarter resource efficiency through which economic value can be created without environmental depletion and degradation. The report reveals sustainability efforts stuck in “pilot paralysis”, with slow intergovernmental progress and increasing citizen-consumer impatience as the world look onto a decade of economic and societal turbulence. It suggests that industry can lead the way as efficiently, and perhaps with more immediate benefit to the consumer and the global economy, than traditional models for global action that exist today. “The sustainability agenda is not an abstract development concept,” said Sarita Nayyar, managing director, head of consumer industries, WEF. “There is real economic value at stake. Companies that effectively weave resource efficiency into their core strategy and operations can drive revenue growth, reduce cost and improve brand reputation.” The report shows how the exhaustion of natural resources is a structural risk to long-term economic stability. A combination of a changing climate and increased demand in emerging economies has been pushing up costs of agricultural commodities. The price of cocoa rose by 246 per cent and palm oil by 230 per cent in just over the past decade. By 2030, freshwater demand will have exceeded the current capacity to supply by over 40 per cent globally with close to four billion people living in areas of high water stress. The business case for the “green shift” is strong. If consumer goods industries increase their energy efficiency, they could save $37 billion in 2030. The current geopolitical stresses and rising demand, which could result in a 50 per cent increase in energy costs, the 2030 figure could be as high as $55.5 billion. (WEF) Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
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